If you read this blog regularly, you know that we have a housing shortage issue which is playing a major role in housing prices spiraling out of control. We also recently gave kudos to Mesa for having the foresight to be willing to build more and reject the local NIMBY voices of the community. Well we have a few more … Read More
Affordable Housing an Issue in Scottsdale? A Recent Study Paints a Bleak Picture
You must know by now that APG has been on the forefront of calling out the problem of affordability as it pertains to rent prices. We have spoken about it here and here, and while raising interest rates may cool it down eventually, there are no immediate signs of the problem abating. While in this case, we hate to be … Read More
Intrigue in Local Development: Mayor Ortega Pulls Back Request for Review. Was It a Lack of Support?
While there is a degree of peril involved when you attempt to read between the lines, sometimes it is worth examining anyway. And a very subtle story that didn’t seem to make any waves at all is worth examining through that prism. A mixed-use development proposed for Old Town called The Goldwater was under review with the city of Scottsdale’s … Read More
Guest Editorial: from Scottsdale Councilwoman Tammy Caputi
I ran for city council to be a positive, forward-thinking voice for Scottsdale. We need councilmembers who will govern with facts and open minds. Activism has its place, and the council can have disagreement about policy, but we must understand what it means to govern, and base our decisions on facts and data. My job as a councilmember is to … Read More
Construction is Underway on the Next Phase of One Scottsdale Located North of Loop 101
North Scottsdale Property Among Best Locations in the Valley DMB Associates, Inc., the developers behind highly acclaimed DC Ranch and numerous other communities across the Phoenix metropolitan area, announced that construction has started, and activity is thriving on the next phases of One Scottsdale, comprised of 75 acres just north of Loop 101 on Scottsdale Road. The 21-acre portion … Read More
Mesa is Getting the Nice Things that Scottsdale Normally Would; What is Wrong with this Picture?
You probably know that we haven’t been shy about talking about how NIMBY politics have partly dominated Scottsdale city politics, and how it has a significant impact on the cost of living in these areas. But there is also the concept of opportunity costs; how making a decision and going down one direction has a cost, not just in the … Read More
Ironwood 92 is Back with Changes – What Happened?
We all could use a second chance or two in life. Often times when a development project is deemed insufficient within city councils, they don’t often get a good second chance. The cost of starting from scratch or making the changes necessary to please those in charge is too high and simply not worth it. We have written about Ironwood … Read More
The NIMBY’s Actually Lost a Battle in Scottsdale: How Positive of a Sign Is This?
We have griped quite a bit about the Council of No in Scottsdale and the sacrifice of reasonable growth for the holy grail of perfect developments; letting perfect be the enemy of good, in essence. So imagine our very deep surprise when a mixed-use development passed through the Council recently! What looks to be an intriguing mixed-use project near Marshall … Read More
Guest Editorial: Barry Graham is Wrong for Scottsdale
By Larry Kush When Barry Graham was first appointed to the Scottsdale Planning Commission eyes rolled in the Scottsdale Planning Department as staff was aware that Mr. Graham had exactly zero experience in the planning and zoning practice and policies needed to make intelligent zoning decisions. He went on to prove their fears, by voting no on nearly every, much … Read More
Guest Editorial: Kudos to Larry Kush on Hat Trick – If Only Our Leaders Listened to Him More Often
By Ronald Sampson I am unapologetically a fan of pro-growth policies. I believe that our communities are better off with elected officials who believe that building is typically preferred to not building, that housing prices are best when they are suppressed by solid supply, and that NIMBYism hurts nearly all of us. In that spirit, I was very pleased to … Read More